Mysimba

Mysimba is a prescription weight-loss treatment. Each tablet contains two active ingredients; 8mg of naltrexone hydrochloride and 90mg of bupropion hydrochloride. It was approved for weight loss treatment in Europe in April 2015.

It is available for those over the age of 18 who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Alternatively, if you have a BMI of 27 to 30 and suffer from weight-related conditions, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, you can also be prescribed Mysimba.

Mysimba should be taken with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise to see the full effects.

The active ingredients in Mysimba (bupropion and naltrexone) affect the part of your brain that controls your appetite and energy balance. Their combined effect reduces your appetite, food cravings and the pleasure associated with eating food.

This means you eat less and consume fewer calories, which will ultimately help you lose weight.

It is still important to have a healthy diet whilst taking Mysimba to see the full effects. The medicine will help your appetite, but you will need to choose the right foods. You will also need to do regular physical activity to help burn calories as well as stay fit and healthy.

Building these healthy habits also sets you up for long-term success in managing your weight and staying healthy when you eventually stop taking Mysimba.

How long does it take for it to work?

Mysimba tablets come in a prolonged-release form, meaning that the effects are released into the body gradually over several hours. So, you will feel the effects of the medicine soon after taking it.

However, it will take a few weeks for you to see the full effects and start losing weight. You should expect to lose at least 5% of your original body weight after 16 weeks of using Mysimba alongside a healthy diet and exercise regime.

Mysimba has several benefits when it comes to weight loss.

• It’s easy to take - you take tablets daily. You don’t need to worry about needles like with other popular weight loss treatments.
• It targets brain activity responsible for food cravings - this will help you develop a healthier relationship with food.
• It promotes gradual weight loss - gradual weight loss is much more effective and ensures you keep off the weight for good.
• It encourages healthy habits - it will help you maintain your diet and lifestyle habits once you finish treatment.

These factors may help you choose a weight loss treatment that’s right for you.

You take Mysimba tablets daily. You start by taking one tablet once daily. You gradually increase the dose each week for 4 weeks until you reach the maximum dose of 4 tablets daily.

When to take it

Do not take Mysimba too close to bedtime as this may affect your sleep.

How to take it

You should swallow each tablet whole. You may take tablets with a glass of water if needed. Do not cut, chew or crush them. You should take your tablets with food.

How long do I take it for?

You will need to take Mysimba for a minimum of 16 weeks to see the full effects. You will need to check in with your doctor after these first 16 weeks to monitor your progress.

If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting weight after 16 weeks, you should discontinue treatment as it might not be right for you.

You can then continue taking Mysimba until you reach a healthy BMI.

Do not stop taking Mysimba without consulting your doctor first.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for it. Taking too many tablets could put you at a greater risk of side effects.

To see the full effects of Mysimba, it is essential that you modify your diet and lifestyle.

Diet on Mysimba

To help you lose weight on Mysimba, it’s important to make healthy food choices.

To effectively lose weight on Mysimba, focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods like lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Prioritise portion control, and stay mindful of your body's hunger and fullness signals for sustainable results,

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

You will need to reduce how many calories you consume daily. You can use our calorie calculator below to find out how many calories you need to consume a day to lose weight.

You should also prioritise healthy foods as well as the amount you eat. Prioritise lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and good carbs. You should also avoid processed foods that are high in sugar or fats like cakes, sweets and fast food.

Exercise on Mysimba

Alongside modifying your eating habits, you should also increase the amount of physical activity you do. This will help burn calories, boost your metabolism and improve your physical health in general.

Exercise plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of Mysimba. Regular physical activity supports weight loss and improves mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Combining Mysimba with a consistent exercise routine maximises your health benefits and helps you achieve sustainable results,

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

You could do cardio (e.g. running), lift weights, try yoga, try pilates or even just go on walks. Start exercising a little and often, and gradually increase the intensity once you build your stamina.

Clinical trials have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of Mysimba for weight loss compared to a placebo (an inactive drug). These trials measured the percentage of weight lost over 26 to 56 weeks of treatment.

Three studies showed that the average weight loss in patients taking Mysimba was around 3.7% to 5.7%, whereas those taking the placebo had an average weight loss of 1.3% to 1.9%.

These studies also found that the overall weight loss in patients taking Mysimba was 8.1% compared to only 4.9% with the placebo after 56 weeks. In addition, 30% of the participants who took Mysimba in this study achieved a 10% weight loss.

Mysimba is suitable for people who are above a certain body mass index (BMI). This is a medical measure of obesity based on your height and weight.

Mysimba is suitable for people who have a BMI of 30 or above.

You are also suitable for Mysimba if you have a BMI of 27 or above and have at least one weight-related condition. This includes:

• prediabetes
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease (e.g. high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke or coronary artery disease)
• osteoarthritis or gout
• chronic back pain
• fatty liver disease
• gallbladder disease

You can calculate your BMI at euroClinix for free using our free tool below.

If you are not sure if you are able to take it, please consult your doctor.

Who cannot take it?

Mysimba may not be suitable for everyone. This includes those who:

• are allergic to naltrexone, bupropion or any of the other ingredients
• are 75 years or older
• have severe high blood pressure that is not controlled by medicine
• have a brain tumour
• are usually a heavy drinker and have stopped or are planning to stop while taking Mysimba
• have recently stopped taking sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines) or are planning to stop taking sedatives while taking Mysimba
• have bipolar disorder
• take any other medicines containing naltrexone (e.g. Revia) or bupropion (e.g.Zyban or Wellbutrin)
• have or have had an eating disorder
• are currently dependent on opiates or opiate agonists (e.g. methadone) or are going cold turkey on them
• take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken them in the last 14 days for depression or Parkinson’s disease.
• severe liver disease or end-stage kidney disease

If you fall under one of these categories, you cannot take Mysimba because you are at high risk of side effects.

Cautions

If you have another medical condition, you should always ask a healthcare professional before starting Mysimba. It may be safe for you to take, but you may need to be closely monitored by your doctor.

Consult your doctor if you:

• have had a serious head injury or trauma
• regularly drink alcohol
• regularly use medicines to help you sleep (e.g. sedatives)
• are currently dependent on cocaine or other stimulating products
• use insulin or oral medicines for diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have uncontrolled coronary artery disease
• have a condition that affects blood flow in the brain
• have kidney or liver problems
• have a history of mania
• are aged 65-74 years old

You may also be at a greater risk of side effects, and your doctor will need to assess whether it is safe for you to take.

Our doctors at euroClinix will be able to know if it’s suitable for you when you complete our consultation form about your medical history before prescribing you the medication.

As with all medications, there is a chance you may experience some side effects.

These side effects are usually mild and go away once you have finished treatment.

Mild side effects can also be managed with simple lifestyle tips. Increasing the amount of fibre you eat or taking gentle laxatives can help with constipation. Staying hydrated will also help if you experience vomiting.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects can affect up to 1 in every 100 people who take this medicine.

Rare side effects

Rare side effects of Mysimba occur in up to 1 in every 10,000 people who take it. So, it is very unlikely you will experience any rare side effects. However, it’s important to know what to expect should you experience any.

If your symptoms don’t go away or you experience more severe side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Mysimba may interfere with other medicines you are taking.

Do not take Mysimba with:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine)
• opiates and opiate-containing medicines (e.g. cough and cold mixtures containing dextromethorphan or codeine or methadone for opiate addiction)
• other weight loss medicines

You should also talk to your doctor if you take any of the following medicines, as you may be more at risk of side effects:

• medicines for depression (e.g. venlafaxine or citalopram) and other mental health conditions (e.g. risperidone)
• steroids (except for eye conditions, skin conditions or asthma)
• medicines used to prevent malaria
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
• antihistamines for allergies, hay fever or for sleepiness (e.g. chlorphenamine)
• medicines for diabetes (e.g. insulin, glibenclamide or repaglinide)
• medicines to help you sleep (e.g. diazepam)
• certain high blood pressure medications (e.g clonidine or beta-blockers like metoprolol)
• medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine or phenytoin)

For a full list of interactions, refer to the patient information leaflet.

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Consult your doctor

Mysimba must not be taken during pregnancy; consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding Consult your doctor

Mysimba should not be used while breastfeeding; discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider.

Alcohol Avoid

Avoid alcohol while taking Mysimba, as it can increase the risk of seizures.

Driving Caution

Mysimba may cause dizziness; avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

How do I store Mysimba?

This medicine does not have any specific storage requirements. However, you should keep it out of sight and reach of children.

You should also not use it past the expiry date. You can see the expiry date on the medicine carton after EXP. The date refers to the last day of the month.

Do not discard expired medicines in general waste or in the toilet. This is bad for the environment. Take your expired medicines to your local pharmacy to dispose.

No, Mysimba is not available over the counter. It is only available via prescription from a registered doctor. This is so the doctor can ensure the medicine is safe for you to use. However, if you cannot get to your GP, you can get a prescription from an online healthcare provider such as euroClinix.

Ordering Mysimba through euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:

• Start a confidential online questionnaire from the top of this page. Completing it takes about 5-10 minutes.
• A UK-registered doctor will review your consultation.
• If approved, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription.
• A licensed UK pharmacy sends your medication in discreet packaging. The pharmacy will also share tracking information. You get free with next-day delivery.

euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.

Why should I choose euroClinix?

euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.

The process is convenient with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions related to our services.

The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.

Choosing euroClinix ensures a trusted, professional, and supportive service for weight loss.

The price of Mysimba will depend on the healthcare provider. At euroClinix, we have competitive prices that include free delivery and consultation.

There are many factors to consider when determining which weight loss drug is best for you. Below are all the alternative treatment options available and how they compare to Mysimba.

Weight loss tablets

There are several prescription weight loss tablets available as well as Mysimba.

Weight loss injections

You can also use weight loss injections.